ITE Update 24 April 2018

The IOP organises annual meetings for tutors and policy makers in secondary ITE.
The most recent meeting was held on Tuesday 24 April 2018. Below is an overview of what was covered on the day.

Welcome remarks – Chris Shepherd (IOP)

IOP Update – Nicole Averiss (IOP)

Nicole Averiss provided an update on the Physics Teacher Training Scholarships, the campaign to recruit more engineering graduates into physics teaching and university campus events, including Café Physics.

Nicole highlighted some ways the IOP can support ITE tutors, through the new IOP events website, twitter Q&As, webinars and IOP blogs.

What makes a good physics teacher? – James de Winter (University of Cambridge)

James provided an update of his research looking at the attributes of good physics teachers. The research is looking at what characteristics are innate and which have been taught, together with what can be achieved in the training year.

Charley spoke about the Ogden Trust’s internship programme which aims to increase the number of physics graduates going into ITE. Over 300 interns have been recruited to the scheme in the last seven years.

Undergraduates in the 2nd or 3rd year of their physics degree undertake a five-week placement in a school with support and funding. The programme helps to gives students a holistic view of teaching as a career. Teachers who took part in the Teach Physics Internship programme can access the Trust’s Early Career Teacher Development Programme.

Chris Shepherd spoke on behalf of Andy Chandler-Grevatt to highlight these resources which are designed to build resilience and support the development of a healthy work/life balance. The resources have successfully been used with trainees but could also be useful for NQTs.

Sarah outlined the approach of the National Mathematics and Physics SCITT, a unique collaboration between the state and independent sectors. The SCITT will only offer training in maths or physics to ensure sufficient subject knowledge and pedagogy content.

Ian leads on professional development for physics coaching, aiming to share good practice through seminars and via TalkPhysics. He is working with school-based coaches who then go on to train other teachers. Some of these school based coaches have gone on to be chartered physicists. Ian wants to work with other partner organisations to build and share ideas.

So you are good at physics, does that mean you can teach it? – Anna Holbrook (Bath Spa University)

Anna gave an update on this research project which is planned to look at both SKE candidates and IOP scholars to discover what qualities and characteristics they have and the impact this has on their early careers. As part of this qualitative research, she will be interviewing graduates, school-based mentors, science PGCE tutors and IOP representatives. The findings may lead to a longer piece of research or be used to inform recruitment and selection processes.

Chris Shepherd chaired a discussion on the high rejection rates for ITT candidates and whether ITE providers needed to review their standards. Concern was expressed that ITE tutors where having their professional judgement undermined in regards to the selection of the best candidates.

Physics with maths courses were discussed as a number of these courses had been closed down. School placements had been problematic in some instances with issues fitting in with both physics and maths timetables. Courses were perceived to be good but was difficult to cover physics, science and maths in the limited time available.